F 232 
.H23B5 






. 













































Visitors' 44aNd^^ooK 



-i- Old Poiqt Gon^fort, Virginia + 

-$^aNd V i c i |\h T Y- *£- 



J.M l-l 111 \(. 

FORT HONROE, NATIONAL SOLDIERS' J 

HOME, NATIONAL CEMETERY, V 

HAMPTON INSTITUTE, TOWN OF W 

HAMPTON, NEWPORT NEWS, /x$| 

NORFOLK, etc. 3feg 

SIXTH EDITION. 



Price 25 Cents. Pr '" icd by Stu<k ' n,s '" ,ho 

, _^~ = „^«._„ — . Hampton Institute. 








. k\ out \ /" 



Old Poii^t (,on)fort. 




b: 



>Y reference to the map orfopposite page, a narrow 
'strip of land, almost surrounded by water, extend- 
ing nut from the eastern shore of Virginia into the broad 
expanse of water [•Mined by the confluence of the Chesa- 
peake Bay and James River, will be noticed. This is "Old 
Point Comfort." 

In 1606, a company was formed in London, for the 
purpose of conizing Virginia. The persons named in the 
charter, which was dated April 10, 1606, as founders of the 
London Company, were Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George 
Somers, Richard Hakluyt, and Edward Maria Wingfield. 

The Company guaranteed, for every £.\z 10s. (about $60.) paid into the treasu- 
ry, to give the contributor one hundred acres of land in the new colony, with the 
promise of one hundred acres more when the first lot had been cultivated. 

The Company organized, fitted out their vessels under the command of Captain 
Christopher Newport, who had acquired a maritime reputation by former expedi 
tions against the Spaniards. On December 19, i6o6,one hundred and five men embark- 
ed in these vessels, destined to form the first colony of Virginia, but not very well 
selected for such a purpose. Of this number, forty eight were "gentlemen," persons 
brought up to esteem labor degrading. There were but twelve laborers, four carpen- 



4 visn •ok. 

ters and a few o s. The leaders were Wingfield, a merchant, Gosnold, 

who had made a previous v ■ Mew World, the chaplain; and last but not 

least, that seventeenth century hero — John Smith - soldier, smlor. discoverer, diplo- 
matist, and historian of the enterp 

The names of the future consellors to whim the g vrrmm-nt of the colony was 
to be entrusted, wore carried to Virginia a profound secret, carefully sealed up in a 
tin box, along with kinj Newport proceeded by way of the Can- 

aries and the Wj Wingfield, jeal- 

ous of Smith's n the Council, usurp the 

government and make himself King of Virginia; and on this extraordinary charge 
Smith was arrested and inement during tin- remainder of the passage. 

Several n ling thence in search 

of the coast of Virginia, a fortunate ssels past Roanoke, and after 

a fonrmonths' ; lay or "Mother of 

the Waters." The two I the entrance wee named Cape Henry and Capt 

Charles, after Hie king's two sons. A party of thirty landing .it Cape Ilcnrv. were 
attacked by liv Hided. Presently the 

ship came to a:i al the mouth of a broad river or estuary. 

Here tli' : the Council made known. 

They then continued their journey < ( exploration up tl e Powhatan, (James) traf- 
ficking with the natives, who received them kindly and regarded them with curious 
eyes, as many of them had never befere seen a white man. A »pot was finally chosen 



- — 1 



HTTCiiii ■'!'!!' 




HJR1 MONRoIC. l.llOklX'; TlJH VKli.S HIE 



b V1S1 rORS HAND BOOK. 

for settlement on the north bank of the river, about fifty miles from the bay. This 
spot was called Jamestown, and the river soon came to be known as the James River. 

In July, 1608, Captain Smith, with a select party, started in an open boat to ex- 
plore the shores of the Chesapeake. They proceeded safely on their way as far as 
the entrance of the Piankatank River, when a mighty storm arose with thunder, 
wind and furious rain. 

In their open boats they were exposed to the lull force of tin- blast, and sought 
in vain to stem its fury and find their way into some convenient harbor. Unable to 
ride at anchor, they put their frail bark before the wind and scudded toward the 
southward. York river was passed; then Hack river, neither of which they could 
make; till finally they came to the sandy strip of land jutting out into the entrance of 
the James River, rounding which V. Iter from the storm, and named the 

place, in gratitude of heart, Point Comfort. The ai I," has since been giv- 

en to distinguish it from its sister shelter, New Point Comfort, higher up the bay. 

For years before the war Old Point Comfort had been celebrated as a watering 
place. The singular salubrn a wide celebrity as a place 

of residence during the heated summer months. The mildness of the climate, also, 
aided to produce the same results. Families from the upper country Hocked hither 
during the summer months to enjoy the unaccustomed luxury of sea bathing and 
fishing. But the outbreak of the war, which wrought so many changes, interposed 
an abrupt interruption to the career of Old Point Comfort as a resort for pleasure. 
Military necessity demanded the demolition of the hotel building which interferred 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 



Ji/PiS^s/'Ji^fg^ltx'. 




5 ,OK. 

Ily with the r; e guns of the fort, and for several years Old Point 

Comfort was known only .1- an important militan 

The Hotel nas originally located nearly opposite to whore the "Sherwood" 
now stands, and was built in the shape of a half moon. Previous to 1856, it was 
owned by several parties in succession; during this year it came into possession of 
Hon. Joseph Segar, whose estate was what is now known as "Roseland." Mr. C. C. 
Willard, of Washington. 1). C . was his partner. It was run by these gentle 11 :n n 'til 
its demolition, al d to. In 1863, Mr. Willa d seeing the necessity of a 

hotel, erected an unpretentious frame structure near the government wharf. After 
the war he sold it to Mr. Norris of Richmond, who in turn sold it to Capt. Clark 
(now of Phcebus) who look Mr. Wilson in as partner, considerably enlarging the 
building. In 1873, it was sold for $;;,ooo, a Mr. .West of Petersburg buying it for 
Mr. S. M. Shoemaker, the Baltimore milionaire, who installed Mr. Harrison Phoebus 
as man... 

The modest building was added to from year to year by Mr. Phoebus, until at 
his death, in 1S86, it was one of the finest and most complete hostelries in the Unit- 
ed States: and to-day it stands a monument to his skill and energy. 

Mr. PI on Thursday morning, February 25th, 

18S6, at six o'clock, age 46 years. Since his death the Hotel has been under the 

ment of Mr. F. \. Pike, who was Mr. Phoebus right hand man for a number 

of years. Under his administration the house has retained its old time prestige and 

popularity, and it enjoys a liberal patronage the year round 



10 OK. 

The climate of Old Point Comfort is un alubrity and general health- 

fulness. The record of the M en years shows 

tlu- following average temp Vutumn, 51 degrees; 

Winter, 47 degrees; Spring' 54.3 1 known fiict that 

every Post Physician th.it has been eaks in the 

highest tei gnant type, as 

• i- its beneficia irtain diseases. 

The 1 I which is the 

•id finest landing in I which during 

ig and Winte ■ on Hampton 

Roads. 1 i 1 ever-changing 

lie view, no matter 1 uilding is four 

d has ample ai It is furnished 

throughou ything but the nee of its 

guests. Steam radiators 01 S, electric bells, 

or oral enunciators, electric li ic or private, for hot or cold, 

fresh or sea water baths, with the m tern of ventilation and drainage, 
and its unsurpassed cuisine, plai es the Hygeia in the foremost rank of like establish- 
ments. 

A special feature i iths, including Turki ["hermo- 
ths, which adds another and most wonder- 
ful agent to the therapeutic .1 .lie Hygeia as beneficial ai it is unique. 



RS HANP COOK 




DINING ROOM, HYGEIA. 




brings u 



The CI mio Railway Co. have extend 

Mill Creek, following the water linr 

and terminating within a few yardsof the Hotels, thus 

nt for tourists by rail, as by boat. 

iod" is another hotel, accomodating 

tnated near the entrance to the 

Fort, M 

t is owned entirely by the (inv. 
ernment. Not a foot of this land can be bought at 
any p a dwelling of any kind be erected 

thereon without a special act of Congress. 

A walk of about three minutes from the Hygeia 
riplion of which is given in the next chapter. 







The Ghamberlln. 

'I*liis magnificent Hotel was opened 
to the public in tlie Spring of 1896. 
.'.'early a million and a quarter dol- 
lars \wre spent m iis construction 
and equipn eat. 

Its frontage of 754 feet, is greater 
than that of the National Capitol 
building at Washington. It has 554 
]. A:ns, of which 470 are guesj feham- 
bers; and of these ?6o have private 



baths attached, each with hot and cold fresh and.salt- water faucets. 

All its public rooms are spacious and luxurious and include, beside the princely par- 
lors, the beautiful dining room, with its unobstructed view of the sea : a restaurant 1 10 leet 
by 36 j several private dtnitfg rooms ; a billiard room for ladies and another for gentlemen; 
sun parlors ami bowling-alleys, card- rooms and \v"riti'>g-rooir.s 

if the most alluripg spots in the Chamberhu is'the winter palm garden, on the 
south side of the building, and like the dining-room, conv.riandih^sa view uf the sea. 

< hamberhn is heated by steam and open fireplaces ; lighted by electricity from 
its own plant of three distinct systems, so it one falls two others are ready for service, 

The. cuisine is unsurpassed by any house in the country, both as to variety and meth- 
ods of preparation. 

Mr, Geo. W. Swett, the Manager, has a national reputation as a successful host. and 
his name is a guarantee of the high standard and excellence that will characterize the 
management of this famous hostelrie. 



VISITORS JTWD BOOK. 





DANCING PAVILION, HVCEIA. 



!• BOOK. 




Fort Morjroe. 



I fitness of this locali- 
ttion was early 

one Harvey 

River, and 

■. ith ammunition, a fee 

: and ball was every ship 

;<nder the oaths 

2 

unloading any 

its erection: 
Matti iideration 

and Capt. Sam'l Mathevves w; ake the- ray sing 




[E POST CHATEL, P. E— CHU 



E CENTURION. 



ofaffortat Poynt Comfort; whereupon Capt Robert Ffelgate, Capt. John Thomas 
Perfury, Capt. Thomas Graies, Capt. John Uty, Capt. Tho. Willoby, Mr. Tho. Heyrick 
and Leu't. Wm. Perry, by full concent of the whole Assembly, were chosen to view 
the place, conclude what manner of ffort shall be erected, and to compounde and 
agree with thesaid Capt. Matthews for building, raysing and furnishing the same." &c. 
ground upon which Fort Mo was ceded by theLegislature of 

Virginia r the Government of the United States, to be used as the site of a military 
post. General Simeon Bernard, a foreign engineer, was employed to design the 
fortifications, and in the yea: und plan was traced, and the work of erec- 

tion commen 

Thc ' ground, and is the largest in the woild. 

Its form is that of an irregular hex.: which command the water 

front, while four looks out upon the land| The walls, which are of granite, rise to 
the heighl out the entire work a moal om seventy-five 

d with granite— the water in which rises 
to the heij On the land side the ramparts are solid, with 

llle <-- xc '-i of the flanks which are casemated, but on the side toward the 

water the armament i ..-mated and one in barbette. 

mmencement of the Rebellion it ha i vernment two and a 

half million dollars. 

-•. which spans the moat, and enter the open gates, pass the 
sentinel on his i es behind its frowning walls. We 



visitors' hand book. 




5XMATE WHERE [EFFERSON DAVIS WA>_CONFI 



rS visitors' hand book. 

observe that the interi land partially shaded walks 
Numerous li\ ound, which afford luxurient 
shade under which the visitor may ig or listening to the sweet 
and enlivening strains of the full military brass band stationed here. We first 
mount the ramparts, from which w view of the Hampton Roads and 
Chesapeake Bay on thi i ounding level but picturesque coun- 
try, with its farms am 1 m the land side. Leaving the 
ramparts, which afford ■ will next visit the museum, which 
is open daily for the in er examining the many curious and 
interesting relics of warfare. \ further, give the reader some 
idea of the routine work of th 

To the casual visit. >i importance going on. We 
meet but few officers or soldi rid occasionally a detail squad 
here and there, but we must remember that this is not only a fortified garrison, but 
also a school. Four ol Regiments of Artillery are order- 
ed here on special du i years. Here the theories 
they have studied are put into prai [any of the text-books and docu- 
ments used in the scl 

There is Guard Mi .'clock, excepting Sundays, 
when it occurs an houi 

Dress Parade every epted, at half an hour be- 
fore sunset. 

In addition to the : . afternoon in summer, out- 
side of the fort, b; or from the ramparts. 



visitors' hand book. 



*^llfe 


— §§ 


v I- ~\ 








._ ■ 


— 




^0%S$i-' 







30 VISITORS HAND IOOK, 

In July and August there is sea coast firing every afternoon, between 3 and 4 
o'clock, excepting Saturdays and Sundays, 

Church service is held in the chapel on the grounds, every Sunday morning at 
10.45 o'clock. This chapel is aptly called, "Church of the Centurion." Rev. C. W. 
Freeland, Chaplain. 

Besides places already mentioned, there is also an electrical and engineering de- 
partment, and a chemical laboratory. 

Lt. Col. Royal T. Frank is the officer in command. 

In casemate No. 2, tst Front, near the postern gate, Jefferson Davis was confined 
after his capture; also in Cirroll Hall, now used as officers' quarters. 

Leaving the fort, we next drive to the National Soldiers' Home. Before enter- 
ing the main road we pass a pretty little church on our left. This is St. Mary's 
Catholic Church, Rev. Father Mercer, pastor. Services on Sunday at 10:30 a. m. 
Vespers at 7:30 p. m. Daily sei vices at 7:30 a. m, We also notice on our left an 
enclosure containing stacks of cannon balls, condemned ordnance, or parts of same. 

On our right is the Government machine shop now used as recitation n 
the Artillery School. We soon come to an iron bridge spanning Mill Creek, in the cen- 
tre of which j> I night and day, crossing which, we find ourselves in 
Virginia, on the sai n ie "Old Dominion." 

On the opposite side of the bridge is Chesapeake City or Phoebus, a 1 
over one thousand inhabitants. There are several popular boarding houses here, 
the principal ones being Bright View House. C. E. Welch, proprietor, and Larrabee's 
private boarding house. 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 




:hesapeake city m. k. church. 



National H 0II l e f° r D- V- S°l ( l ici,s - 

SOUTHERN BRANCH. 




We will lak« the reader back 
to ante-bellum days. From the boat, 
on our way from Norfolk, we notice 
on our left a large imposing struc- 
ture, delightfully situated in the 
midst of trees and shrubbery, fac- 
ing the broad waters of Hampton 
Roads, and directly at the entrance 
[ampton Creek. This, at the 
time we refer to, was the Chesapeake Female College, un- 
der the control of the Baptist denomination. It was 
built in of $64,000, and was occupied about 



VISITORS HAND BOOK, 



~7_, 




*ty.?y 



§P&? 



*4 ' ORS HAND BOOK. 

November of the same year, but was not finished till the winter of 1X59—60. The 
property originally comprised 26 acres. In this Institution many of the daughtersof 
the F. F. V.'s prosecuted their studies uninterruptedly until the breaking out of tin- 
war, when they were called to their homes, and the building— which had often re- 
echoed with their laughter — was soon put to a far.different use. It was taki 1 
sion of by the Government, and about October, 1861, was used as a hospi al, and later, 
ral Schofield, as headquarters. In 1864 the property was pun h ised l>\ Gen 
eral Butler, who in 1870, sold it to the Government to bi 11 me for disa- 

bled soldiers, $50,000 being paid for the same. 

The first Deputy Governor of this Branch was Rev. Charles A. Raymond, the 
former President of the College, who was appointed January, 1871. February r, of 
the same year, there were about 50 members; but ■ r known, 

the number gradually increased, The number that could be originally accommoda- 
ted was about 350. 

On the 17th of January, 1873, the present Governor, Col. I\ T. Woodfin, assumed 
charge, and each year since, the institution has been taxed for room. Numerous brick 
Barracks have been erected, as well as an immense hospital accommodating 900 pa- 
tients. There is also a commodious laundry, boiler house, ice house, in which the 
ice used by the institution is manufactured; a fine Library, a large Hall built for 
amusement purposes, etc. In fact, as far as possible, everything necessary to make 
the place comfortable and attractive to the members, has been dome. Since its or- 
ganization, about 9,000 veterans have been admitted and cared for. Number of vet- 



HAND BOOK. 




WARD MEMORIAL HALL, HOME. 



'id VISITORS HAND BOOK. 

eransat present 3,750. Notwithstanding the constant addition of new brick barracks, 
the Home is being continually taxed to its utmost capacity. There is little doubt but 
that this branch will, in course of time, equal in importance and attractions either of 
the other Branches. 

The officers of the Institution are: Col. P. T. Woodfin, Governor; Mai. Win. 
Thompson, Treasurer; Col. Charles Candy, Com Sub..: Dr. S. K. Towle, Surgeon, 
Dr. E. I. Shores, first assistant: Dr. 1 ■ . Rev. W. M. 

Price, Chaplain. 

Entering the groum ' th side, adjoining Roseland, the estate of Mrs. 

Harrison Phoebus, we drive direct to the entrance of the Main Building, where we 
will find a Guide in waiting, who is ready at once to take us to even- place of inter- 
est. We first enter the 

MAIN BUILDING, 
and take a peep into company quarters. Everything is neat and clean as though 
"house cleaning day" were but yesterday. The nun are sitting down or lying on 
cots reading. All seem contented and happy, We pass upon to the next floor; it is 
but a duplicate of the first; and so on, all the way up. We find wash rooms, bath 
rooms and other conveniences, on every floor, while an elevator is running constantly 
for the accomodation of those veterans who are afflicted or too feeble to walk up and 
down the stairway. A view from the piazza on the fifth floor is well worth the exer- 
tion of climbing. Here we can see for miles; and the ever-changing panorama of 
passing boats is one that must be seen to be appreciated. We now descend, and our 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 



*?i 





GOVERNOR'S office. 



guide will take special pride in conducting us to the 

WARD M EMORIAL HALL. 
'This is a handsome brick structure and reflects great credit alike on the archi- 
tect and builder. It was built by funds bequeathed for that purpose by Mr. Horatio ' 
Ward of London, England. The original amount left was $100,000, which with inter- 
est, &c. up to the time it was applied, amounted to about $n 1,000. This amount 
was divided among the different Branches. 



sS visitors' hand book. 

This building is used exclusively for amusement purposes, the theatre being one 
of the finest in the South, with a seating capacity of 1500. Entertainments of all kinds 
are given here for the members, who are admitted free. 

Adjoining the theatre is a billiard room, with four tables, where those who de- 
light in that pastime can amuse themselves. Immediately under the Billard Room 
is a large assembly room, called the "Smoking Room," where the men congregate and 
play checkers, dominoes, etc : and relate over their w.u 

A short distance from the Theatre building, near the dock, is the 
HOT E L and K 1. ST AIR A N T. 
a handsome circular building, nicely fited up. where friends of members can secure 
accommodations while visiting them. It is also liberally patronized by the members, 
asagoodsquaremealcanbeobtainedthere.it a nominal price. A short distance 
from the Restaurant is the 

Q U A R T E R M A S T E K ' S D E PARTM E N T. ' 

Here is kept all the clothing issued to members, blankets, bedding, household 
articles, etc. 

The office of the Governor is in a neat building near the boulevard, .1 short dis- 
tance from his residence.- while those of the Treasurer and Commissary of Subsist- 
ence are in a two-story brick building near "Ward" Memorial Hall. 

In the rear of the Governor's residence are the 

C X SKRV A TORI E S. 

If we are a lover of the beautiful in nature, we can enjoy the brightness ai 
grance of the many choice and rare plants that arc here found. The houses are un- 



visitors' HAND BOOK, 







COL. P. T. WOODFIN, GOVERNOR. 



der the management of Mr. E. I. Dexter 

whose skill and taste in floriculture are 
noticeable on every hand. Leaving the 
Conservatory, we wend our way to 

THE HOSPITAL, 
which is the largest and most imposing 
structure on ihe grounds. The patients 
treated here average about four hundred 
daily. They have the best of rare and the 
most skillful treatment. 

T II E L I B K A R V, 
which we next visit, is on the second floor 
of the brick building in the rear of the 
Main Building. The first contribution to 
the Library was made by the "Ladies Cn- 

N'ew York City, in 1871. Many 
kindly disposed persons have contributed 
from time to time, many valuable and in- 
teresting volumes. Among the donors 
might be mentioned Mrs. General McClel- 
len, Mrs. Zollikoffer, and Mr. Albert Crane 



3° VISITORS HAND BOOK. 

of New York City, Mrs. Oswin Wells, Mrs. J. Watson Black, Mrs II. YVetmorr, Mrs. 
J. N. Goodwin, Miss Batterson,' and Mr. Black, of Hartford Conn.; and many others. 

Governor Wood fin lias 'always 'taken n warm interest in the Library, and from 
special funds fie Has added at different times many choice and interesting works, 
till it now numbers over seven thousand volumes — American, German and French. 
There are between one and two hundred papers taken, daily, tri-weekly, and week- 
ly: besides a number of magazines and other periodicals. 

The Library is open dail 'in 8 a. m. to i: m. 

from i to 5 p, m. and fp >m 6 to 8 ] 
to the new 

DINING MALL, 
situated near the Boiler House is a very interesting om Here about i 200 
sit at table at once, and all ill' serving are perfect, 

During hot weather, fans i eep the atmosphere 

cool and the room is lig 

The Home is a g which 

afford amusement for the old vets, who enjoy the company of the children, and take 
pleasure in watching them at their childish gam :s To such parties, a 

pavilion has been erected at the extreme s mth-end of tl lere the picnic 

e'rs can enjoy themselves dancing, and also Iter in wet weather. 

In addition to the buildings already mentioned, there is a Beer Saloon, Boiler 
"House, Laundry, Bake House. Fire Engine House, a number of brick and frame bar 



VISrTOR S HAND POOR. 




F— 7 m 



BAKERY, SOLDIERS' HOME. 




RICK 1MRRACKS, HOME. 



$2 VISITORS' hand book. 

racks, and a neat commodious Chapel, where services are held every Sabbath; Cath 
olic in the morning and Protestant in the afternoon. 

The buildings are not the only places of attraction at the Home. The drive 
along the water front is delightful, and the view beautiful. A broad, board terrace 
runs the entire length of the breakwater, which is taken advantage of by the mem- 
ders as a promenade. 

The grounds are well shaded and tastefully laid out, and it would be ditii 
find a place more suited to the object for whichitis intended. Numerous arc lightsat 
Various points, give the Home, from the waterfront, the appearance of a city at night. 

There is a well organized steam tire department connected with the institution. 

Besides the entertainments in "Ward" Memorial Hall, the members have many 
other amusements, such as boating, yachting, fishing and salt-water bathing. 

The fine military band connected with this institution under the leadership of 
Prof. Leavy, gives Open Air Concerts every afterno n 3 to 4 

o'clock. 

On Sunday morning, there is Outside Inspection 
pia//.a, the sight of over 2,000 veterans, arranged ii 
walks of the grounds, is very picturesque, and is enjoyed by thousan 
yearly. 

Many of the members pass their time in making fancy ami curious arti 
sell to visitors as souvenirs of their visit. 

Leaving the Home grounds, we next visit the National Cemetery, .1 description 
of which will be given in the next chapter. 



visitors' hand book. 





ENT BARRAt KS, ll< 



CHAPEL, SOLDIERS HOMI 



Ttye National (Zeirjeterv 



How sleep the brave, who sink to rest, 

By all their Country's wishes blest, 
When Spring with dewy ringers cold 

Returns to deck their hallowed mould, 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod 

Than i ive ever trod. 

This cemetery is situated on the south-eastern side of the Normal School grounds, 
and is separated from the Soldier's Home by a narrow inlet of Hampton Creek. 

The lot is an irreg! many sides, six of them being right lines, the 

balance following the mentioned. To the casual 

observer the lot appears to 1" bout twice as long as wide. 

It contains 11.61 acres of level land, and was purchased by the United States in 
1867, for the sum of 86.306. It is enclosed by a rubble stone wall, laid in mortar, and 
Covered by a rough o ■ 

We enter theenclosi north side, and proceed to the office of the 

Superintendent. Major A. J. Birdsall, whii li is on the left hand side, near the entrance, 
where we register our names, and th p the main avenue, twenty feet wide, 

on either side of which are well kept flower beds. 

About 350 feet from the entrance is a mound upon which the flagstaff stands. 
Facing this mound on eithe ; rge cannon planted vertically. Here the 



35 




COL. CHAS. CANDY, COM. SUB., SOLDIERS' I 
tcrv the appearance of being carpeted with a beaut 



mad branches off to the right and 
left. Near the centre of the ceme- 
tery is an imposing solid granite 

M O X U M EXT. 
65 feet high, erected through the 
efforts of Miss I). L. Dix of New 
This monument stands in 

ntre of a circular plat. 7 
in diameter, which is enclosed by 
an iron fence, the posts being 3 
inch rifled cannon (Rodman) and 
the pickets musket-barrels with 
bayonets fixed. 

We naturally look for mounds- 
over the graves, as in other ceme- 
teries, but if it were not not for 
the long straight rows of low head- 

. we would not know they 
raves. The ground is per- 
fectly level, sodded and kept close- 
ly (Topped, giving the whole ceme 
reen. 



30 VISITORS HANP BOOK. 

J'iic graves are arranged in double parallel rows, feet to feet, with . 
between each row of head stones: these stones contain the name, rank and State of the 
deceased, if known. 

At the south-east end of the cemetery, are the graves of many Confederates who 
died while prisoners of war, either in the Hospital at Camp Hamilton or in Fort 
Monroe. 

The interments to March i, 1893, are as follows : 

Known I '"■(/. 

White Union Soldiers & Sailors 5930 - - 493 (1423 

Confederate " " 280 

Civilians " " S3 

Total interments 67S6 

(This includes 180 interments in New Cemetery mentioned below.) 
All the bodies interred here previous to May 14, 1871, were removed from their 
places hi' original interment, being mostly from the grounds of the general 
in this vicinity, but some were removed from Big Bethel, Newport News, Norfolk, 
Portsmouth, Craney Island, ami ..titer places. The interments from the Soldier's 
Home average about 20 a month. 

A new cemetery was opened in July. tSiji, and is situated north of, ami adjoining 
the Hume grounds, 



VISITORS HAN.T1 ROOK. 




.'ATION'AL' CEMETERY, 



T1)C -H alI M>t<>i7 
Norrpal arjd &griclilttiral Institute 



This Institution is situated nd a halt miles from Old Point Comfort, 

on an esta ice known as " Little Scotland -" ;nul 

during the Civil War ; the base Hospital of the Army of the 

James.where as many as to.ooosick a '"' at onc 

in the close of the wj i District" 

(including ten counties , Imen and Aban- 

doned Lands," commis ce dur,n K 

the suspension oi the i ovidc work for and scatter to their 

former ho iment ra- 

tions, brinj hipofthe 

n charge of the 
"Hampto I advised that a Normal and Industrial Sch lishedon 

thisspol . est of the American Missionary Association, undertook the 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 




visitors' hand book. 
A° 

work The estate was purchased in the summer of 1867 for the «n thou- 

S and'($i 9) ooo) dollars. After erecting the necessary buildings, the sch 
in \v»ril 1868, with fifteen scholars and two teachers. 
' Tjune, 8 7 o, the Institute received a charter from tl 
., mi Seating a corporation, with power to 
propmy exempt from taxation. This board numb 
^deTntrol the entire property of the School by deed from.tl 

Action. The School is undenominational, but ™.»* 

In March r8 72 the General Assembly of V.rgima 

mstitfon^LL.s, -;;;; 

ia Its share was one hundred thousand acres, which were sold ,„ M 

K n< tenths of this money was invested in State bonds bear,:,-- s.x per cent, .n- 
"rest Ae'othc "ten has bee'n expended inthepurcha 

n " he st of he h ome farm to one hundred and ninety - -cetv- 

, Zrtni the " t0 the InStitUt 

i|l 111 

ernor every tout \ t til s, 1 u« > 
their deliberations. 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 



VIRGINIA HALL, SCHOOL. 



TISITORS HAVD BOOK. 

In addition to the I i and fifty acres, the institution also 

has a grass and grain farm of six hun mr miles outside of Hampton. 

which is worked by the students. H 'Hemenway" farm. 

is now valued at £500*000. most of which has 
been paid for by private conl ribui ■ 

The l< [o give the ind Indian races a class of 

I for which is in, reasing yearly, and 

j Mnd its abilil 

In April, 1878, Indian stud si enteere Arapahoe, 

and Kiowa ex-warriors, taken from a band of about fifty, who had been 

held as prisoners of war at St Florida, for three years, under Capt. R. H. 

with these, the most savage of the Indian 
1 number has increased yearly, until 
present time, thi 1 . these are from fifteen 

Agencies, and represent as many tl 

The United States ;.. . r annum for 120 Indians, which covers 

the cost ol board and clothing I all buildings and outfit, is provided 

by friends, as well as the enl n twelve to twenty outside the government 

quota. 

The School is not under control of, nor supported by, the government. 
It requires about $100,000 a year for running expenses; of which the school receives 
from the government §.'0,000; the State of Virginia, $10,000 and from investments 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 




ACADEMIC HALL, SCHOOL. 



44 VISITORS HAND BOOK. 

. ioo. The balance, S60.000. j s contributed by friends of tlir cause. 
chiefly in annual scholarships of $70.00 each. The pressing need of tl 
endowment fund of one million dollars. 

The following is the number of students in attendance January, 1893. 
1 Students. . 538 

Indian 135 

Total 673 

. agriculture, work shops and house-keep- 
ing departments, 80; r3 are graduates ol I Ninety per cent, of the seven 
hundred graduates are teaching, or have taught in this and neighboring States. 
Classes may be visited each week-day, except Monday, between 10:30 and 12 o'clock 

The work shops may be visited any wee!. 

The dinner hour is 12:20 p. m., at which time all students are assembled in the 
large dining room in Virginia Hall. 

Inspection every morning, e ind Monday, at 8:30. 

Church services in Memorial Chapel on Sunday afternoons, at 4 o'clock. Seats 

With this much by way of introduction and explanation, we will wend our way 
fust to the ( )i 1 1 1 -. which are situated in a neat frame building, near the Library. 
Here we register our names, if we choose, and securing a guide, start on our tour of 
inspection. We first visit the 



T1SIT0RS' HAND BOOK. 



jii 




MEMORIAL CHAPEL, SCHOOL. 



^5 VISITORS HAND HOOK. 

LIB K A K V and READIN G K M. 
which is in what was formerly the office building, built in 1882. Here are many 
curiosities of African and Indian origin, neatly arranged in showcases; together with 
about 5.000 volui ig newspapers and periodicals of the day; 

while on the first no oJ the handiwork of the students in 

the variou liere we wi " g° l " 

M E MORI A L CHAP E L, 
one of the handsomest church edifices in the South. It was built in 1887, by Mr. El- 
bert B. Monroe G. Marquand. Leaving the 
chapel we proi 

A CAD i: MIC II A L L. 
situated betwee ice Building. This building was erected in 

1882, to replace I November 9th, 1879. 

It is divided into cla : on the upper floor is a large 

After spending an interesting halt 
hour or so listening to both colored and Indian students, we will 

visit the 

S CI !•: X C E I! r 1 LD1 N G, 
adjoining, which is al ; after which we will step over to the 



VISITORS JIANB 100K. 




HUNTINGTON 1X1)1 



48 TISITORS' HAND BOOK. 

HUNTING T ON IND U S T RIAL \V R K S, 
uick structure, on the water's edge, the munificent gift of Mr. C. I'. Hunting- 
ton, of New York. In this department we find not only colored workmen, but ajso 
skilled white mechanii because of the demands made upon the 

dings, &C. The lower floor K 
to the manufacture and dressing of plain lumber: the second floor for circu- 
lar sawing, scroll sawing, turning, &c, while the third floor is used as a StOJ 
dryingroom. The po> Corliss engine. Mr. Albert Howe is busi- 

ness manager of this department, with Mr. II. S. Thompson, Superintendent. 

The ca : to tin- Huntington Industrial Works, as is alsi 

the technical department in blacksmithing and Wood working, where girls as well as 
boys are taughl ge of Mr. J. Sugden: 

while Mr. F. L. Small. trtment. 

A shoi I Saw Mill is the 

M A C H I N 1: S II (J 1', 
Mr. (i. YV. King, id steam litlin 

general machine work is done by this department,the power being supplied by a lafge 
engine, the git t of Mr. Geo. II. Corliss. The manufacture of wheelbarrows and trucks, 
is also tarried on here. Leaving this building we pass, on our way. two boys' 
dormitories, which are of no interest to the visitor 
The next place of inl i 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 



■i9 




STONE MEMORIAL. SCHOOL. 



VISITORS WAKD BOOK. 



T H E "S T o N E" BUILDING. 



which was erected in 1882, through the liberality of Mrs. Valeria Stone, of Maiden, 
Mass. who gave $20,000 toward it. We come first to the Girls' Industrial Room and 
Sewing and Tailoring Department. Here all the mending and making of garments 
is done, and uniforms for the students are made. Here also can be purchased souve- 
nirs of our visit to the institution— articles made by Indian and colored students- 
such as decorated pottery, paper knives, dressed dolls, needle handiwork, etc. Miss M. 
T. Galpin has general charge. 

We next visit the Pkintiv d Book. Bindery, occupying two rooms on 

the first floor. Here we find er press running by steam power; also two 

job presses. From twenty to twenty-live hands are at work: colored, Indian, and white. 
We also notice several veterans fi iers' Home at the case, while the 

bookbinder also wears the uniform of Uncle Sam. This department is kept busy all 
the time. Several monthly arid quarterly publications are issued; also a weekly pa- 
per, besides pamphlets and 1 ription. The office is self support- 
ing, and has a good local trade. The upper floors of this building are used for boys' 
dormitories. 

Adjoining this building is 

1 N S E K V A T O R V. 
built in 1883, in charge of Mr. C. L, G and plants can be ob- 

tained at reasonable prices. 

Facing the "Stone" building is the 



VISIT** i HAND BOOK. 




WIGWAM. 



Y1SIT0RS HAND 100r. 



W I G \V A M. 



built in 1879; this building contains dormitories for the Indian 
A short distance from this building is the 

B A R N. 

This is a large frame structure, built in 1878. Here can be seen short-horn and Al 

derney stock; Morgan and Perchen ch cows, swine, poultry, &c, also a 

large silo. The view from the top of the Barn is very extensive, and well worth the 

effort of climbing. The entire farming department is in charge of Mr. Albert Howe. 

YVe next visit the 

T RAINING S 11 O 1' S, 

situated i the Barn, on the corner facing the main road to Hampton and 

lint Comfort 

The main brick building contains on the first floor the H - : on the 

second floor th The Tin Shop is in a low frame building near 

the Barn. 

These buildings were finished in 

In a brick building in the rear of the Barn is the Wheelwright and Black- 
smith Shop. 

The Paint Shop and K\ is in a frame building near the 

Holly Tree Inn. 



. HAND BOOK. 





A 


i 


f 


STjSjy,, 




L 


■ |' ^ , 




- 




- 








j» : i&~'~' '■'■' 










"w^gj. 


W$M*0 










;5|Af:rf &' | 



BARN. SCHOOL. 



VISITORS HAK» BOOr. 



T H E G Y M NASI U M. 



This Building is between the Indian Training Shop and the Boiler House In 
the rear of the Gymnasium is the Holy Tree Inn. where the boys ran procure simple 
refreshments at a moderate 

THE HOSPITAL 
is situated between the Gymnasium and th« Office building. 

THE LAUNDRY, 
is situated in the rear of Virginia Hall. Here the washing and ironing for the entire 
school is done. 

THE COLORED GIRLS' COTTAGE, 

of which we give an illustration on another page, was built in 1886, and has accom- 
modations for 50 scholars and 10 teachers. It is located to the right of Virginia Hall. 

I« the rear of the Principal's residence is the Girls Recreation Hau„ a cosy, 
well lighted, well ventilated, room where the social gatherings are held. Connect- 
ed with it is a Kitchen where the girls are giTen lessons in cooking. 

But three more buildings remain for inspection, two of which are used a* dor- 
mitories for female students. The first one we visit is 

WINONA LODGE, 
whieh was built in i882 ; and is intended for Indian girls. On the first floor is the 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 




WINONA, SCHOOL. 



56 VISITORS HAN'T) HOOK. 

sewing i eception room; the upper stories contain dormi- 

tories. After inspecting the neatly kept n :x1 visit 

VIRGINIA HALL, 

which is connected with Winona by an to the front 

porch where we witness the marching of the students to dinner, headed by the 
School Brass Band of 16 pieces. A li lents have tiled into the long din- 

ing room, we enter with the rest <>f the visitors. At the whir of the e'ectric bell, all 
is silence, until at a signal, the whol in singing a hymn of thanks; after 

which, the students are seated, and il;- ample justice to the aaundance 

of healthy and nourishing food that is placed before, them 

This building is 150 feet front b; 1th, with a wing running 100 feet 

to the rear. In the basement is the Bakery and Commissary department. The first 
floor contains the students' «and teachers' dining rooms, &c. The second and third 
floors contain the rooms of the teai :1 red female students. Teachers and 

students' parlors are on the second floor; and a large well lighted chapel, capable of 
accommodating eight hundred people, is on the third floor. Virginia Hall was built 
partly though the efforts of the "Hampton Singers", in a three year's singing 
campaign. It is the largest and handsomest building on the school grounds and 
contains every convenience. 

Adjoining Winona is the 



VISITORS HAND ROOK. 




LIBRARY BUILDING, SCHOOL. 



58 visitors' hand book. 

ABBY MAY HOME, 

built in 1892, through the efforts of Miss Emily Austin, who is in charge of same. 
Here the girls receive special instructions in housekeeping, cooking, &c, 

In the rear of Virginia Hall is the Gas House; which furnishes gas for all the 
principal buildings on the place; having a capacity of over 1,000 lights. This de- 
partment is in charge of Ml I e bui iings are 
lighted by electricity. 

The steam for heati and power is supplied by a nest of boilers loca- 

ted in a brick boiler house between the Saw Mill and Machine Shop. Underground 
pipes in brick arched drains, extend to all the principal buildings on the place, thus 
reducing fire risk, and adding to the comfort, convenience and utility of the institu- 
tion. 

A short drive brings us to the 

WHITTIER SCHOOL HOUSE. 

on the site of the old "Butler School," at the entrance of the School grounds. 
The building is a handsome frame structure, and contains every convenience ne- 
cessary for the purpose for which it is used. It was erected in 1S87, at a cost of $15, 
400. It is used as a day school, and is maintained by the county six months in the 
year, and for three months by the Normal School, which supplies its teachers- The 
best time to vifit it is about 11:30 p. u. There is a kitchen garden drill and singing 
from 12:30 to 1:30 p. m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 




GIRLS COTTAGE, SCHOOL. 



VTSITOR*' HAND BOOK. 

[The "Whittier" School was destroyed by fire on the evening of March ist, 1890. 
Nothing was left standing but the brick foundation walls. It was rebuilt at once, 
on the plan of the former building, with but slight modifications, and re-opened in 
November, 1891] 

It might be pertinently atked here, who is the head of this Yast and complete 
system of training, not only for the head but for the hands also. The prime mover 
in the matter is the Principal, General S. C. Armstrong, largely through whose ef- 
forts the School has grown to such proportions as to challenge the admiration of all 
who are interested in the welfare of the two races for whom it is designed. The fi- 
nances of the institution are taken care of by the Treasurer, Mr. Geo. Foster 
Peabody, and the genera.1 business details are looked after closely by Mr. F. C. Briggs. 
the Business Manager, while the various departments are presided over by skilleds 
and competent workman. 

From a recent official report of the school, we find that of 336 returned India n 
now living but 35 have been disappointing or bad. Most of them are doing well, and 
some very well. Their success depends largely on the agent's interest and care for 
them. 

They find employment as agency farmers, police, herders, clerks, stable-men, 
scouts, interpreters, drivers, assistant surveyors; a number are employed regularly as 
teachers, while others act as catechists, missionaries, nurses, physicians, etc. Those 
who learned trades here, as a rule, follow them where possible, while others run farms, 
cattle ranches or stores of their own. 



VWITORS HAND BOOK. 




PRINCIPAL'S RESIDENCE, SCHOOL. 



6l Y1S1T0RS HAND BOOK. 

Their health, while needing much care, is no longer a source of alarm. Since 
1885, with an average yearly attendance of one hundred and thitty. five, the death 
rate has been but one a year. 

Nine-tenths of the ; nder-graduates. have 

done good work as teachers, and lade it their life work_ 

working also in 70 they report 

having taught over 135.000 children. 

The school has just published a book : — Tweny-two years' Work of Hampton 
Institute, which contains brief sketches 1. classes 

'yi-'cjo, and 440 Indian students who have return 1 r one or more 

years lie re. li S1.00 

Having hastily inspected the woi of this famous institution, 

we enter our carriage and a c driven along a level shell road for ab nit half a mile, 
passing on our way several modern dwellings, but the majority are one and two sto- 
ry frames. S me few of them bear the stamp ol ys, but many of them 
are neat looking and ihe gardens in fust at the turn ot 
the road we pass, on our left, the old Tyler man- intry residence 
of the ex-President ; and so^n come to the Bridge, spanning the Hampton river, 
erected in January, 189 1. The* location of the I el north of 
where the old bridge stood, which was burned during the war. Over the bridge we 
are in the town of Hampton, a brief sketch of which we will now give. 



YISTTORJ BAHP BOOK. 




HAMPTON INSTITUTE, WATER-KRONT VIEW. 



Hanjptoi] 




WHEN the renowned Capt. John Smith fust visited the site of the present 
town of Hampton, he found it but a small village, containing about 
titeen houses, covering but three acres of ground It was then 
called Kecoughtan, after a small tribe of Indians, who at 
n about twenty warriors. Here he 
'and his little party stopped in July, 160S, and were enter- 
tained by the natives before starting oh their voyage of exploration up the Powhatan. 
The village was settled by the English as early as 1610, although its modern 
name was not bestowed upon it till its establishment by law as a town in 1705. 

In the colonial days it was a place of som~ importance for the shipment of pro- 
duce and the importation of British goods and manufactures. In a work called 
"Notes on Virginia," published in 1764, by Thomas Jefferson, in answer to the query, 
"Which are the principal towns of Virginia?", Hampton is mentioned in connection 
with Norfolk, Richmond. Petersburg, and other towns — thus proving that it must 
have been a place of some importance. 



VISITORS HAKS IOOK. 

We doubt if any town or village of the same ed through so many 

and varied vicissitudes as the town of Hampton. One of the earliest engagements 
of i he Revolutionary war was the successful defense of the town by the inhabitants, 
s.iided by a rifle company, against the boats of a British fleet, in October, 1775. 

On Sept. i4'h, 1781, General Washington visited Hampton, and with the Count 
DeGrass; concerted the plan of seige by which the British forces surrendered at 
Vorktown on the 6th of October following. In 1812, the town was less fortunate 
than in 1775, being attacked by Admiral Cockburn and Sir Sidney Beckwith, with a 
flotilla of boats, and captured after a short but decisive action. On this occasion 
the place was given up to pillage, and the inhabitants who had been unable to flee 
were subjected to the most shameful indignities and barbarities. Even the British 
commander was moved to indignation at the excesses he was unable to prevent; and 
answering a congratulatory letter from his commanding general at Norfolk, depre- 
cated all praises of his achievement, with the forcible and striking remaik, "Worth- 
less is the laurel that is steeped in woman's tears." 

In an account of the war of 181 2, written in "the ancient historical style." in 
1 8 16, the author thus graphically describes the desolation caused by Cockburn's 
visit to the little town: 

"31 Now on the twenty -fifth day of the same month the army of Britain went 
against a village called Hampton, which lieth in the state of Virginia, and took it. 

32 Howbeit, the little band of Columbia, commanded by Crutchfidd, fought 
hard against them. 



VISITORS BAUD 100K. 



6? 




PAINT SHOP AND KNITTING ROOM. 




I ■ U II EB SCHOOL HOUSE. 



33 Nevertheless, they prevailed over him, and slew seven of his men, and 
wounded others, upon which lie fled; for the men of Britain were like unto a swarm 
of locusts. 

34 But the blood of two hundred royal slaves became a sacrifice to the wicked- 
ness of their leaders. 

35 There is a time when truth may be uttered with pleasure; and the drop- 
pings thereof are like unto frankincense and myrrh. 

36 But, alas! the hour hath passed away or it hath not yet come; she hath gone 
down into the vale of tears: yea, deep sorrow treadeth upon her heels. 



68 HAND bOOK. 

37 ( I] of that day: 

! hy wickednes 
diamond. 

39 It was here, ev< ' >st up 

against the poor, the 

40. Instead of prol God; the life of 

the world; behold! what ha 

41 See! the shrieking m; he may escape 
thy brutal violence: but all in vain: omes a 
prey to thy savage lust. 

42 Not she alone, but h into thy unhal- 
lowed hands, and been defiled! 

43 Oh, Britain! tl thee: the mark 
of the beast is printed 

44 1 thy servants 
stripped the agi d him; with th did they 
torment him. 

45 Do the groans of the murdi hou and 
o( thine evil: and do so no more: the L01 II be thy judge. 

rhe people of Columbia sh m; but the re- 

membrance thereof shall live forget the name 

of Cockbum. 



VISITOR S HAND BOOK. 







Ik 









■ 





















;o visitors HAsn book. 

17 Even the sei t of the tories despised him; the evils which he wrought 
caused man)' of them to turn aside and walk in the foot-steps of the great Sanhe- 
drim. 

[8 And thou. I'i tdful fiend! sleep within the precincts of 

m: a strong seal is put upon thy sepulchre; the sons of Columbia shall not 
disturb thee. 

49 When they pass by this ill-fated town, they shall step aside and weep: neith- 
er shall they enter the streets thereof, lest they awaken thee. 

50 And woe unto the royal potentate, or the princely ruler, that shall presume 
to break the seal, or rouse thee from thy slumbers! 

51 Thy waking will be as the waking of the hungry tiger, when he riseth up to 
refresh himself: retribution shall be obtained: and the heathen shall tremble." 

Again, when the war of '61 broke out, was Hampton destined to still further 
disaster. The creek upon which the town stands was for a while the dividing line 
between the Union and Confederate forces; the Tatter occupying the western, the 
former the eastern side. In August, 1861, the Confederate forces under General 
Magruder, numbering about seven thousand men, with eight pieces of artillery, 
were stationed on Back river, about three miles from Hampton. His intention was 
to force an engagement upon the Union soldiers stationed here or at Newport News: 
or at least to destroy the town, and thus prevent its being used by General Butler's 
men or by the contrabands as winter quarters. The latter he was successful in do- 
ing, as every house but one was destroyed. 



TISITORS HAND BOOK. 




t£l!Pl! 



: 



'SHELLPANKS" INDUSTRIAL HOME, SCHOOL. 



-2 VISITORS HANOD BOOK. 

in the Confederate arm\ witness 

and participant in the burnii 

"The burning Litiful and ancient little town was mil an act 

wanton and useless destruction; nor was it expected, by those who sugge 
carried it into execution, to have any mat 

the Federal army encamped in its \ inion prevailed 

throughout the ] -t in sympathy 

with the ;ainst their will 

and convictions b some emphatic 

way, to disabui e the e actual 

lion of affairs and il w; a town by its 
own inhabitants, rather thai' 
to the accomplishment of thi 

"This step had several tim commanding 
on the Peninsular, and this to its of the town >ut in-, unwill- 
ing to sacrifice the prop* inch from the 
ravages of war, had declined I h however, he reluct- 
antly yielded to * * * 

"Having stationed a consi e Newmarket 

road, about five miles from 1 our companies 

cavalry, 
and Captain Sinclair's ■ infantry, to the accomplishment "( the enterprise. 



VISITORS HAND BOOT. 




Jlf. jJt^ 






W'y^-''& £ 



FROM AN ORIGINAL SKETCH BY AN INn.AN ST, W KT OF HAM 



74 VISITORS HAND BOOK. 

Capt. Phillips' company, the Old Dominion Dragoons, was raised in the town and 
county; and Capt. Sinclair's, the York Rangers, was raised in the county of York, but 
officered by men from Hampton; the remaining troops were from other portions of 
Virginia. The whole force was under the command of Col. Hodges. * * 

"Strong guards were scut out on the Newport News and Salter's Creek roads, to 
prevent a surprise from that direction, as the bridge over the creek which crosses the 
Back River road had been burned, and a force obtaining possesion of the Market 
road, would effectually cut off their line of retreat. A strong picket was also sent 
out to Hope's farm on the road leading north from the town. 

"The expedition entered Hampton just after nightfall on the 9th of August, 1861, 
and immediately proceeded to the work of conflagration. The town, as it stood at 
that time, lay almost entirely on the western bank of Hampton river, and was divided 
into four nearly equal parts by the intersection of King and Queen streets. The plan 
of operation was simply to assign a detachment to each of these sections with in- 
structions to commence on the eastern side and lire the houses as they retired. Col. 
Hodges halted his battalion at a line of breast works thrown up by the enemy just 
to the westward of the old church wall, while Capt. Phillips took command of the 
remaining troops and proceeded to the moi l- of the night. After assign 

ing each detachment its special work, lie himself proceeded to the foot of Hampton 
bridge to watch any demonstrations of the enemy from the direction of Fort Mon- 
roe. After a little brisk firing the Federal picket retired and the Confederates were 
in undisputed possession of the town. 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 







VOU.N'U HOPEFULS, 



YI&ITORS' HAND BOOK. 

the houses were occupied ; all the arms-bearing population was in 
the Coni ; most of the n ints had lied to Williamsburg, Rich- 

mond an troops first occupied Newport News, and 

the Negri i I for the most part sought the pro- 

wn was virtually deserted, o.nly a few old 
and infin naining in it. But the most painful part of the night's work 

was to inform ihose few of the dreadful errand on which they had come. 

"No given for the e fects— what was to be done had to 

: fifteen minutes after the citizens had been notified to leave, 

the work ilarined and admirably executed were the 

had been fired, and before 
11 ouldering ashes and crumb- 
ling wall rom some cause having failed 
to burn. vn the succeeding winter by the Federal 

.vestern side of the river that were 
built prior to the 7th d 

"It is due to th General Magruder's character against the 

1 : so loudly condemn- 
:ived with cordial approval. * . * 

imony amply proves that in many cases property was fired by the 
hands ol tjie children ol its owners, and this, too, with an alacrity and 

zeal altogether unsurpassed." * * * 



VHITOK HAMD »OOK. 




ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, HAMPTON, BUILT l66o. 



7 8 TJSITORS' HAKD BOOK. 

And so a rui ere the firsl slaves were landed, 

till, in God's own time, by the mighty voice of war, the incubus was lifted. It 

seemed fitting that here, where the Negro first felt tin- bitterness of slavery . he should 
also first taste the sweetness berty, for the famous "order" that 

made him " contraband of war," and therefore virtually gave him his liberty, was. 
issued by General Butler in May, 1861, from the ramp at Fort M 

For some time after the clo aken of Hamp- 

ton. Its population was m chief occupation was fishing and 

oystering. But so >n a change came; with lent of the institution where- 

in the once down trodden ra..' could, have and en^oy the same privileges 
more favored white brethren, the designs of an All-wise I eemed to have 

been fulfilled; and since thru h sure, but nev- 

ertheless marked. Many of the old ! modern looking 

buildings; trades and manufai meets it 

with Old Point and Newport News; its streels and hous< I up with electri- 

city: north. 1 11 capital is finding it.S way here, and I lampton seems to be on the road to 
a prosperous future. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway passes through the town. 

The town was incorporated in [887, and is governed by a Mayor and council, 
and contains about five thousand inhabitants. There are two principal streets; the 
main one, which the bridge opens on, being called Queen; and a cross our, about the 
centre of the town, which is called King. There are many other smaller streets, but 
the principal business 

The chief object of attraction in this quaint town is the 



VISITORS HAND BOOK. 




MASONIC 1EMFLE, HAMPTON, 



YfSTTORS HAND BOOK. 



OLD ST. J () II N "S C II I' R C II. 



n g We 
jiblf, so much of the history "f il 
as we a 

ardly, in 162 i, there was a law pas - 
on every 

is natur is date. 

I was built be- 
irch was mi what was known at the "Pembroke 
farm," ab - John's Church, on the same 

on the place. Among other inter- 
: ilis Majesty's Fleet in the West 

ther than 1741, the 
original I ecords of the Court ext :nd hack 

irmation. Th ive have 

is that" 1 unworthy female in 1644. 

In the v. 

/ho buried a Mr. Nicolas Baker in the New 
nd old church standing 



VISITORS HAND BOOK 




S2 VISITORS HAND BOOK. 

Rev. Jeremiah Tayl< John Page. By the court 

rn that Taylor was a nd to the community. 

Rev. John Page was succeeded b; He by Rev. Andrew 

Thompson in 17 12. He was buried on the ib is the fol- 

lowing: 

"Here lyeth )c bod) of ye Reverend Mr. A 
in Scotland, and was minister ol Sept. in ye 

46 yeare of his age, leavii 

He was succeeded by K Rev. Wm. 1 

1731. He by Rev. Thos. Warrington in 1 j 
by Rev. Win. Nixon i 

Rev. Mr. Skyren Nixon. 

He was probably su. 
memorial stone 

by Rev. Benjamin Brown, vvh en to the 

right of the door enteri v from 

1786 till 1S06, it is imp 
George Halson 

period. About i •■ when 

the Rev. Mark L. Or with the 

chaplaincy of ( )ld Poil 

came its minister; in 1850, Rev. Mr, Mr. Harlow in 

1858: he by Mr. ' 



VISITORS HAKD BOOK. 



8j 




. ! i . . 



[873; he by Rev. J.W. 
he present incumbent, 

no church records to prove 

Rev. David Mossom 

Washington and 

:d here. W 

:ntly the- kings coat of 

eple, but that in i7^6_ 

lependence, the 

ightning, and the 

11 earth. 

that the bricks 

1 were brought 

' , and although 

'1 so many and 

Walls of Zion" have 

nan's wrath, and the 

I to-day within them ) 

in of thanksgiving is 

the word of the Lord is ex- 

ul also to 'the 



84 YMITORS* HAND BOOX. ' * 

descendants of the aboriginal races of our continent. During the war of 1812, the 
church was occupied by the British forces, who used it for various purposes, and left 
nothing standing but the walls. At this tin nrork of the bell tower was 

1 in the 
angle mai rch and the tower. From that p removed, by 

order of Major 1 'Little England 

Farm," to the guard house of that < 1, the tongue 

became loose, g I. It was 

recast in 1825. At this time I, a vestry elect- 

ed, and enough subscriptions obtain- r; and it seemed 

as though its tribulations were over. But, at the he late war, it was set 

on fire by the Confederates, and burned to the ground; but still the old walls held 
firmly together, as though in defiance of anything that man could do to them. To 
test its strength still more, excavations were mad< erof the building 

for the purpose of finding the corner stone, and thereby getting any valuables that 
might be secreted therein. The oldest known grave in this church-yard is 1701. 
The church can be visited at any hour of the day. If it is not open, the key can be 
obtained from the sexton, who lives but a few doors away. 

The finest building in the town is the Masonic Temple, on Queen street near 
King. It is a three story brick structure, tuilt in 1S89, at a cost of about $13,000. 
The first floor is a store, the second story is di\ided into 1 ffices ar.d the thud floor 
is used by the various Masonic Bodies for Lodge purposes. 



VISITORS HAKD 100K. 




A SUBURBAN RESIPEN'CE. 



S6 VISITORS HANC «OOK. 

On King street, a few doors from Queen, is the Post Office. The Court House 
and Jail, remodelleed in 1S90, are also on this street. The old Records, which are 
still in a good state of preservation, can be seen lication at the 

(Ink's office, on tho first floor. 

There are both white and colored Bapt list churches in the town, 

also a white Presbyterian and church of th There are two Banks, the 

Bank of Hampton, of which H. C. Whitin and a private bank 

controlled by the Mess. Schmelz Brothers. Both 
There are two first class Hi 

the town and vicinity. md fishing are the chief occupatioi 

Thousands of barrels of the lucious bivalves an by the 

nportant indus- 
try, and affords employment 

running successfully for several years, its pro! market ; and 

an ice factory is run in connection with the eld 

As we drive though the town ,ve see many thi 
days "befo' de wa'." The tumble down shanties :ts, with 

the sable, happy-look: sitting on the . smoking their 

pipes, or gossiping with their neigh 
the law permits, playir 

a neccessary adjunct to put a finishing touch to I 1 ■ neral rule is — 

the poorer the family, I he number of dogs. 

Having visited th.- . we will turn our 

horses' heads towards the trip to surrounding places of interest 

for another dav and ch 



visitor's hand book. 




. 



Newport N e ^ s - 



To reach this thriving city, the future metropolis of the South, we take the elec- 
tric cars at Old Point Comfort, and a ride of thirty minutes brings us to the end of 
our journey. The city is situated on a point of land at the mouth of James River, 
overlooking Hampton Roads, about seven miles from Hampton, and receives its 
name in commemoration of the news brought from England by Capt. Newport, to 
the starving colony in the neighborhood. 

It was never considered a place of much importance, and it seems strange that a 
lapse of so many years should occur before the beauty and natural advantages of the 
location should be discovered and utilized. 

The Chesapeake & Ohio railway company in extending its route, decided upon 
Newport News as a shipping point for ooal, grain, etc., it being considerably nearer 
the ocean than New York, and with a water frontage unexcelled by any other place 
in the country. On Sunday, October 16th, i88r, at 2 p. m., Major J. J. Gorden, 
"drove home" the "silver spike" which indicated the completion of the road from 
the Ohio to the Chesapeake. 

The land embraced by the city is owned by the Old Dominion Land Company, 
and about one thousand acres have been regularly laid out i« street! 60 ftet wide, 
crossed hy a number «f »T«nn« 3o feet in width. 



visitors' HA!TT> boo«. 




90 VISITORS BAND BOOK. 

handsome brii 
hundreds 
house. 
There 

front. This is evident 

o large 

ed. On. "he cars 

feet wide; two stories high, and con 
capacity of 1,500,000 bu 
wharves, at any time, there b le, an 1 it is an 

interesting and exciting scene to witness the loading of them with o 

There is a regular line of steamers between Ni aud Brazil and other 

foreign ports. 

There has been recently constructed at a cost of over a million dollars, a large 
dry dock *nd ship building establishment (embracing about 69 acres, live of 
which are covered by the various buildings) which, in its various departments, 



ISTTOKS HAVD BOOK. 



I 




Kll' RAP.-. EIA HOTEL. 



9 » V«TORS HAND B*OC. 

furnishes employment to about five thousand mechanics. Sereral ships of the largest 
tonnage have Been constructed, and several more are under way. 

The dry dock is said to be the largest and finest in the world, being 600 feet long. 

There are a number of other industi ies, Mich as an iron foundry, broom factory, 
ice factory, sawmills, etc.. an I ; in contemplation. A company has been 

organized, which furnishes v. city, the supply being obtained from the 

various An electric railway also con- 

nects the city with Hampton and ( 5 running every half hour. 

Nearly all the available land in the immediate vicinity has been bought up, and 
is held 1>. Jit just outside of the city, at 

very reasonable rates and on i are in great deman d, and proper- 

ty is increasing in value ever;, 

The city has a daily paper, the Sun established in 1892, Democratic in politics, 
Thf Commercial, a v. Mr. John Yiney in 18I4, is Still in 

successful open Mr. J. A. Robinson, a New 

iournali>t. It is als 

The C. & O. Railw; : depot, and many other im- 

provements are in contempli 

Then live stories high, on 

the principal streets, among thtm 1 National Banks, F. N. 

Pike's, Nelms Brothers', Schmelz Lire, W. Walsh's, and others. 

Newport News is the county seal e of the neatest brick court houses 

in the stat«. 



Y16ITOJLS HAVD BOOK. 




CONBAT BETWEEN THE MONITOR AND MERRIMAC, 



Norfolk. 



1 

■ 

- 

holder, was ma >r resig- 

nation. 



Vr«TTO«S HANI1 ROOK. 



9S 



" ■ ' 



tffc 




rWTORg HAND »0«C 



leet und 
On the 



i lunmore, rendezvoused in the harbor. 

was bombarded and set on fire by the 

5, an i persons pass- 
leir lives. 

becamea city. 

. :iich was 

I 

tily reached as 

. died. Out of 

9 j days. 

i this section. Pass- 

imfort on the 

. i use to p 



British, and :i 

Dun 
ed between N< 

On th 

In i 
brought in the n 
tilence S| 
high as ei 
an avera^ 

Janua 
cngers f 
ice, the lady p i 

Apri 
of a pnv 

Tin- i. it 5 miles south of 

Old Poin 

On the 10th : [federates, and Gen- 

eral Wool too!. an order appointing 

Brigadier General Yiele Milil . of the city. 



MJi-38. 



* J> 

























































ST. AUGUSTINE 

i^:-. FLA. 









32084 



